HUNTSVILLE, Texas – After falling into a three-run hole on Saturday, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi softball team saw its rally come up short in the rubber match against Sam Houston State, as the Bearkats won 4-2.
The Islanders (7-28, 2-13) chased Sam Houston State (18-21, 9-9) starter Tayler Atkinson after two innings, but could not complete the comeback against reliever Lindsey McLeod (8-5), who held the Islanders hitless through the final five innings.
Liz Carter (6-14) tossed her 18th complete game of the season and took the tough-luck loss. The Austin native scattered a seven hits and gave up just two earned runs.
In the bottom of the first for the hosts, Tori Koerselman dropped a well-placed bunt in front of the plate for a single. After stealing second, Koerselman scored two batters later on an errant throw to first during Codi Carpenter's at-bat. The Bearkats tacked on two more runs an inning later when Koerselman lined 0-2 pitch to the gap in right center for an two-RBI double.
The Islanders climbed back into the game in the top of the third.
Lexi Shaw singled through the right side to lead off the inning, before
Savannah Sandoval followed that up with a single to left.
Mackinzee Griebel laced an 0-1 offering up the middle to plate Shaw from second and move Sandoval over to third. During the next at-bat,
Kandace Johnson grounded to the shortstop on a fielder's choice, as Sandoval beat the throw home to cut the deficit down to one.
Carter took control for the next three innings. The Austin native allowed one runner on base and retired nine of the next 10 hitters.
Sam Houston State added an insurance run in the sixth on an Islanders error from a sacrifice bunt, allowing Ashley Kopps to score from second.
Sandoval led the Islanders with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, her fourth multi-hit game of the season.
CARTER COMMAND
Liz Carter had one of her busiest weekends of the year. The Austin native threw 16 1/3 innings out of a possible 19 frames. Carter finished the series against Sam Houston State with nine strikeouts, a record of 1-1 and an ERA of 0.86, while surrendering just two earned runs, 10 hits and five walks. The Bearkats managed a .179 batting average against the Islanders ace.
ON DECK
The Islanders return home to face UTSA on Tuesday at 3 p.m., before a three-game set at home against Houston Baptist on the weekend.
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- Go Islanders -
